Ezemvelo cancels reed harvesting due to Covid-19

DUE to the Covid-19 pandemic and ongoing efforts to minimise the spread of the virus, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has decided to cancel the annual iNcema and Reed Harvesting Programme at uMlalazi Nature Reserve and iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

Ezemvelo said due to the popularity of the harvesting programme, which is attended by scores of women, it would have been difficult to adhere to the lockdown regulations of social distancing and applicable number limitations.

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‘Community members across KwaZulu-Natal, including places like Ladysmith, Vryheid and Melmoth, have benefited from the iNcema and Reed Harvesting Programme managed by Ezemvelo.

‘The sought-after Sea Rush, including species such as Common Reed (Phragmites australis) and iKhwane (Cyperus latifolius) are often harvested over a controlled period in May,’ said Ezemvelo spokesperson, Musa Mntambo.

These natural resources are used to make different traditional handicraft products like baskets, sleeping mats and beer strainers.

‘The biennial natural resource harvesting programme facilitates wetland recovery.

‘In recent years, the vegetation component within the wetlands system has shifted, favouring species such as Common Reed that dominate in freshwater as opposed to higher saline water conditions.

‘Monitoring the wetland system allows for management interventions to be applied when necessary,’ he said.

‘Ezemvelo will continue to monitor these natural resources within the protected areas and will re-evaluate stock availability in early 2022.’

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